Chennai Airport to Royapettah: Metro, Cab and Auto Options

How far is the airport?

Chennai International Airport is in Tirusulam, about 21 km south-west of the city centre, according to Wikipedia. It has Terminals 1 and 4 for domestic flights and Terminal 2 for international flights. The hotel does not publish an exact airport transfer time, so plan with a buffer and ask the front desk about the best route when you book.

One travel guide puts typical off-peak drives to the city at 30 to 60 minutes and warns that morning peaks (roughly 8:30 to 10:30 AM) and evening peaks (about 5:30 to 8 PM) can stretch that to 60 to 100 minutes. Use those as rough guides, not promises.

Tirusulam is on the southern side of the city, and Royapettah is in the centre, so almost every route crosses busy roads or the Guindy and Saidapet belt. That is why the time varies so much. If you can, avoid landing at the evening peak with a cab pre-booked for exactly that hour, since a one-hour estimate can easily turn into two.

Option 1: metro

Chennai Metro's Blue Line has an airport station linked to the terminals, and Wikipedia's table lists the stops after the airport as Meenambakkam, Nanganallur Road, Alandur, Guindy, Little Mount, Saidapet, Nandanam, Teynampet, AG-DMS and then Thousand Lights. Thousand Lights serves Royapettah, Greams Road and Gopalapuram. A final auto takes you to the hotel.

The metro avoids road traffic, which is its biggest advantage at peak hours. A travel guide reports trains running from early morning to about 11 PM, but that is not an official figure, so check the Chennai Metro Rail site for first and last train times on your day, particularly if your flight lands late.

Keep small change or a metro card ready, and check whether your ticket can be bought through the Chennai Metro Rail QR system or the WhatsApp number listed on its website. The metro station is connected to the terminals by a walkway, according to one travel guide, which is helpful with a trolley, though you should confirm the route on arrival. With heavy luggage, a cab remains easier.

Option 2: app cab or prepaid taxi

A prepaid taxi counter and app cab pickup zones are described in a 2026 airport guide, with prepaid fares quoted before you board. The same guide's sample fares are roughly Rs 400 to Rs 800 for app cabs to the city centre, and Rs 420 to Rs 650 to T Nagar. Fares move with demand and time of day, so compare the app price with the prepaid counter before choosing.

A cab is the easiest choice with children, elders or large luggage, because it drops you at the entrance and there is no change of transport. Share the hotel's address with the driver: No. 9, Perumal Mudali Road, behind Woodlands Theatre, Royapettah.

Whether you choose the app or the counter, note the vehicle number and driver details before you get in. If you land after midnight, a pre-arranged cab is usually the safest choice, because the metro may have stopped for the night. Ask the hotel to hold the booking details so the front desk is ready when you arrive.

Option 3: suburban train and bus

Tirusulam suburban station sits next to the airport on the Tambaram to Beach line, and MTC runs buses from the airport too. These are the cheapest options. They make sense for a light-luggage solo traveller with time, but they are slow with bags and need a change of vehicle to reach Royapettah, so most visitors do not choose them.

If you are a solo traveller with a small bag and plenty of time, the train and a connecting auto can work, but the Chennai suburban network can be confusing on a first visit. For most travellers visiting for a short stay, the cab or the metro with a short auto is the best value for the effort.

Late arrivals and early departures

Hotel Royal King's front desk operates 24 hours, so a midnight arrival is fine. Standard check-in is at 1 PM and check-out at 11 AM. If your flight lands early in the morning, tell the hotel in advance, because an early room depends on availability and cannot be assumed.

For an early departure, book your cab or check the metro's first train the night before, and leave a generous margin, since airport check-in and security take time.

If you have a late flight and a morning check-out at 11 AM, it helps to tell the hotel your plan. Some guests choose a room for the night before a flight so that they can sleep and travel rested. A night in a Single Deluxe is Rs 1,600 a night (please reconfirm when you book).

Rooms and rates

The Single Deluxe Room costs Rs 1,600, the Double Deluxe Rs 2,000, the Triple Bed Room Rs 2,800 and the Quadruple Room Rs 3,600, all per room, per night. Every room has air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV. Message or call Hotel Royal King on +91 73973 96612 with your dates and number of guests. Rates are per room, per night, so please reconfirm the current rate and taxes when you book.